Coastal Design Tools
Oral
Ayse Karanci, PhD
Coastal Engineer
NCSU/Moffatt & Nichol
Casey Dietrich
North Carolina State U.
A framework that simulates interactions between human and natural systems by integrating geospatial, process-based and probabilistic methods with complex system dynamics has been developed to study occupation dynamics in coastal communities. This framework constitutes a novel management tool built to enrich the understanding of human-nature systems by predicting coupled behavior under different forcing scenarios and management strategies. Using the framework the influence of soft-engineering design alternatives on the occupation dynamics is explored. Results show higher occupation when economic benefits and protection from both, dunes and beaches, are balanced. The framework can provide valuable insights to decision-makers aiming improve resilience.